Business Development

The Wood Buffalo region is home to some of the most successful Indigenous businesses in Canada. We work closely with the owners of Aboriginal businesses to identify opportunities for supplying goods and services to our operation. As of 2018, Syncrude has spent $3 billion with Indigenous companies.

Our policy requires an Indigenous business to be 51% owned by a First Nation, Métis Local or Indigenous person. The Indigenous owner must also be in control of the operations on a day-to-day basis.

In the Wood Buffalo region, Syncrude is a founding member and active participant in the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA). The association works to develop capacity and opportunities for Aboriginal business in the region. Full members of NAABA must have at least 51% Aboriginal ownership, while associate members like Syncrude are companies that have an Indigenous policy in place or in development.

Syncrude also works with other organizations, like the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, to assist them in developing processes that help Indigenous businesses increase their capacity.

To learn more about our commitment to Indigenous business development and overview of progress, visit our Sustainability Report and Pathways magazine.